Bavarian Alpine town near Hitler's former mountain retreat. Surrounded by national park, known for winter sports, hiking, and mountain biking. Popular with tourists.
Berchtesgaden is a small town in the Bavarian Alps of southeastern Germany. The area is known for its alpine landscapes and historical sites. During your stay in this mountain town, you can explore salt mines, take a boat ride on Königssee, or hike through a national park.
Location in the Bavarian Alps
Berchtesgaden sits in a valley surrounded on three sides by Austria, about 30 km south of Salzburg and 180 km southeast of Munich. The town is part of the Berchtesgadener Land district in Bavaria, located within the Berchtesgaden Alps. South of the town, Berchtesgaden National Park stretches across three parallel valleys, with protected alpine wilderness.
Boating on Königssee
Just south of Berchtesgaden lies Königssee, a deep green lake surrounded by steep mountain walls. You can take an electric boat tour across the lake, observing the clear waters and steep alpine terrain. The boat stops at St. Bartholomä, a red-domed church and former hunting lodge. During the journey, listen for the boat captain demonstrating the lake's echo by playing a trumpet.
Touring the Salt Mines
For an underground experience, visit the Berchtesgaden Salt Mine. Salt mining brought wealth to the region for centuries, beginning in 1517. During the tour, you'll wear traditional miner's clothing, ride a mini-train into the mountain, and slide down wooden slides between levels. The tour provides an informative and engaging look at the area's mining history.
Hiking in Berchtesgaden National Park
Berchtesgaden National Park has over 240 km of marked hiking trails, ranging from easy walks to challenging alpine routes. You might spot wildlife like marmots, chamois, and golden eagles while walking through forests, meadows, and rocky peaks. Popular hikes include the trail to Watzmann, Germany's third-highest mountain, and the path around Königssee.
Eating Bavarian Food
After a day outdoors, you can try hearty Bavarian cuisine in Berchtesgaden's restaurants and beer halls. Local dishes include Schweinshaxe (roasted pork knuckle), Käsespätzle (cheese noodles), and Weisswurst (white sausage). For dessert, try a Windbeutel, a large cream puff that's a local specialty. You can drink a stein of beer at the historic Hofbräuhaus Berchtesgaden, which has been brewing since 1645.
Visiting the Eagle's Nest
One of Berchtesgaden's most well-known sites is the Eagle's Nest (Kehlsteinhaus), a mountaintop building constructed for Adolf Hitler. You can take a bus ride up Germany's highest road to reach this historical site, which now operates as a restaurant. From its position at 1,834 meters, you'll see views stretching up to 200 km on clear days. The Eagle's Nest provides insight into a significant period of history while showcasing expansive views of the surrounding mountains.
Getting to Berchtesgaden
You can reach Berchtesgaden by train from Munich, changing in Freilassing. The journey takes about 3 hours. If you're coming from Salzburg, it's faster to take a bus, with the ride lasting around 45 minutes. By car, Berchtesgaden is about a 2-hour drive from Munich or 30 minutes from Salzburg. Once in town, you can use local buses to reach most sites, with many hotels providing free bus passes to guests.
